Terenure took a giant step toward securing a home semi-final for the third season in a row with a predictably hard-earned 29-15 win over Clontarf at a packed Lakelands Park on Saturday.
Nevertheless, those two plus Constitution remain in a three-way tussle for home advantage in the play-offs in advance of next weekend’s final full round of matches in the Energia All-Ireland League.
In a repeat of the last two finals, Terenure led 13-3 at half-time after a catch-and-drive try by hooker John McKee and a stunning breakaway try by ex-Munster and Ireland Sevens winger Conor Phillips, while Clontarf were aggrieved not to be awarded an apparent try of their own.
Even so, the game was there to be won entering the final quarter after Clontarf tries by Aitzol King and Mikey McGiff made it a one-point game.
The Counter Ruck: the rugby newsletter from The Irish Times
Cian Healy set to equal Brian O’Driscoll’s 133 cap record
Connacht’s Santiago Cordero hopes things go Argentina’s way against Ireland
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland doesn’t have a huge rugby-playing population and there are weaknesses with the system
Terenure – confidence high after a run of 10 successive wins – seized the initiative and Max Russell kept turnover ball alive before Phillips’ slalomed through the ‘Tarf defence and lock Matthew Caffrey capped a fine game with the support line to score.
Critically, on five occasions Terenure kept the potent Clontarf maul at bay while outhalf Aaran Egan landed five from six for a 14-point haul.
Terenure (65 points) now lead Constitution (64) by a point after the latter’s 10-7 win over Ballynahinch, with Clontarf (63) a point further back.
Matthew Bowen’s 12th try for Con was cancelled out by Aaron Sexton’s 10th at Temple Hill, before a decisive penalty by the returning James Taylor.
That result meant Lansdowne sealed their semi-final place with an astonishing 64-31 win over City of Armagh on the Aviva back pitch, quickly securing their 18th bonus point of the season as they raced into a 43-0 half-time lead. They ultimately scored nine tries although Armagh did muster a valuable bonus point with five second-half tries.
Trinity salvaged something from a season of rebuild when beating UCD 22-13 in the colours match at College Park.
But the students’ relegation was confirmed by Shannon’s 37-22 bonus point win in their Sunday derby against Young Munster at Thomond Park which was sealed by tries from winger Sonny Kiely and number eight Daniel Okeku in the last 10 minutes. Shannon remain in the relegation play-off place, but only behind Armagh on points’ difference.
It was “moving day” in 1B. Old Wesley secured their play-off spot with two bonus points in a 34-29 loss at champions St Mary’s thanks to a hat-trick by former Munster underage centre Alex Molloy.
Garryowen joined them after an eighth win in succession by 28-3 away to Old Belvedere while Highfield had an equally significant 21-7 home victory over Blackrock. Buccs’ relegation was confirmed by a 48-7 loss at UCC.
Nenagh Ormond sealed the 1A title and promotion with a 29-12 win over Barnhall, who were overtaken in second placed by Cashel (33-19 winners away to Malone) while Banbridge moved above Old Crescent into fourth.
Instonians’ sealed 2B with two bonus points in their 29-27 loss away to Corinthians, who remain on course for a home semi-final. Belfast Harlequins climbed off last with a 38-34 win over Dolphin.
Clogher Valley effectively secured the 2C title with a 41-12 win in Tullamore, while Galwegians are guaranteed a home semi-final after their 43-17 win in Midleton.
Division 1A
Cork Constitution 10 Ballynahinch 7
Lansdowne 64 City of Armagh 31
Terenure College 29 Clontarf 15
Dublin University 22 UCD 13
Shannon 37 Young Munster 22
Division 1B
Highfield 21 Blackrock College 7
Old Belvedere 3 Garryowen 28
Queens 33 Naas 31
St. Mary’s College 34 Old Wesley 29
UCC 48 Buccaneers 7
Division 2A
Ballymena 24 Greystones 23
Banbridge 32 UL Bohemian 19
Malone 19 Cashel 33
Nenagh Ormond 29 MU Barnhall 12
Old Crescent 19 Navan 24
Division 2B
(Fri) Skerries 3 Malahide 16
Belfast Harlequins 38 Dolphin 34
Dungannon 32 Sligo 20
Galway Corinthians 29 Instonians 27
Rainey 17 Wanderers 40
Division 2C
Ballina 32 Omagh Academicals 22
Clonmel 21 Bangor 26
Enniscorthy 31 Bruff 38
Midleton 17 Galwegians 43
Tullamore 12 Clogher Valley 41
